We invested $456 million in new and existing stores, returned $95 million in quarterly dividends to our shareholders, and repurchased $29 million of common stock. Our total cash and investments nearly doubled over the prior year, increasing $745 million to $1.5 billion.
A bowl filled with okra in a market. Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a digestive disorder that affects about 20 percent of adults in the United States, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders.
In effect, okra juice prevents H. Pylori infections and gastritis. A concern that arises is whether okraâs non-specific binding to bacteria can deter normal gut bacteria. Further studies are required to assess whether okraâs benefits outweigh its potential side effects. Having said that, we can take refuge in the fact that okra is eaten widely in Asia and Africa for centuries now with no adverse effects on the digestive system.